Dietary zinc-chitosan nanoparticles addition influences on growth performance, apparent total tract digestibility, carcass indices, and immune function in weaned rabbits.

The aim of this study was to study the effect of zinc oxide-chitosan nanoparticles (Zn-CNPs) on growth performance, plasma constituents, carcass indices, and immune function in rabbit diets. Eighty weaned V-line males rabbits at 5 weeks of age were divided into four dietary groups of control diet; 50 Zn-CNPs; 75 Zn-CNPs;100 Zn-CNPs. Supplementation of Zn-CNPs did not affect final live body weight and average daily weight gain. 100 ppm Zn-CNPs recorded (p < 0.05) higher digestibility of DM, OM, CP, EE, and NFE. Dietary groups of 75 and 100 ppm were higher (p < 0.05) in DCP, TDN (%), and DE (kcal/kg). Zn-CNPs supplementation was higher (p < 0.05) in hot carcass and spleen weights %. The addition of Zn-CNPs in diets promoted dressing%. Significant increases (p < 0.05) in plasma total protein and albumin levels for 75 and 100 Zn-CNPs. Zn-CNPs decreased (p < 0.05) glucose, total cholesterol, LDL concentrations and increased (p < 0.05) plasma zinc levels, IgG, IgM. Plasma HDL level increased (p < 0.05) with 75 and 100 ppm Zn-CNPs. In conclusion, Zn-CNPs supplementations can use safely as a zinc source in rabbits diets without any detrimental effects on growth performance, plasma constituents, and carcass indices. Moreover, 50, 75, and 100 ppm Zn-CNPs enhanced the immune functions.

Serum endocan as a predictive biomarker of cardiovascular risk in erectile dysfunction patients.

Endothelial dysfunction is reported in erectile dysfunction (ED) and cardiovascular disease (CVD). Endocan is a serum marker in some endothelial-related disorders. Thirty patients with erectile dysfunction (Group A) and 15 controls (Group B) were enrolled in the study. Group A is subdivided into Group AI including 15 diabetic patients with ED and group AII including 15 nondiabetic patients with ED. The erectile function was assessed in all subjects using International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF-5) score. Fasting blood sugar (FBS), cholesterol and triglycerides (TG), serum endocan and carotid intima-media thickness (cIMT) were assessed in all subjects. Penile Doppler ultrasound was carried out for Group A. IIEF-5 score, serum endocan level and cIMT were significantly different between the groups. Serum endocan was positively correlated with cIMT (r = 0.342, p = 0.22) and negatively correlated with peak systolic velocity (r = -0.588, p = 0.001) and IIEF (r = -0.532, p < 0.001) although lack of correlation was detected with end-diastolic velocity, TG and cholesterol. ROC curve assessment yielded a serum endocan cut-off point of >2,392.7 ng/ml to predict the cIMT in ED patients with 83.33% sensitivity and 66.67% specificity (AUC 0.741, 95% CI 0.558-0.867). Serum endocan can correlate with ED severity and cIMT. In addition, it has a predictive value for cardiovascular risk in ED patients.

Predicting wastewater temperatures in sewer pipes using abductive network models.

A predictive modelling technique was employed to estimate wastewater temperatures in sewer pipes. The simplicity of abductive predictive models attracts large numbers of users due to their minimal computation time and limited number of measurable input parameters. Data measured from five sewer pipes over a period of 12 months provide 33,900 training entries and 39,000 evaluation entries to support the models' development. Two simple predictive models for urban upstream combined sewers and large downstream collector sewers were developed. They delivered good correlation between measured and predicted wastewater temperatures proven by their R(2) values of up to 0.98 and root mean square error (RMSE) of the temperature change along the sewer pipe ranging from 0.15 °C to 0.33 °C. Analysis of a number of potential input parameters indicated that upstream wastewater temperature and downstream in-sewer air temperature were the only input parameters that are needed in the developed models to deliver this level of accuracy.

Modelling the viability of heat recovery from combined sewers.

Modelling of wastewater temperatures along a sewer pipe using energy balance equations and assuming steady-state conditions was achieved. Modelling error was calculated, by comparing the predicted temperature drop to measured ones in three combined sewers, and was found to have an overall root mean squared error of 0.37 K. Downstream measured wastewater temperature was plotted against modelled values; their line gradients were found to be within the range of 0.9995-1.0012. The ultimate aim of the modelling is to assess the viability of recovering heat from sewer pipes. This is done by evaluating an appropriate location for a heat exchanger within a sewer network that can recover heat without impacting negatively on the downstream wastewater treatment plant (WWTP). Long sewers may prove to be more viable for heat recovery, as heat lost can be reclaimed before wastewater reaching the WWTP.

4-Chloro-N'-[(3Z)-2-oxo-2,3-di-hydro-1H-indol-3-yl-idene]benzohydrazide.

In the title compound, C15H10ClN3O2, the benzene ring is slightly twisted out of the plane of the 2,3-di-hydro-1H-indole ring system (r.m.s. deviation = 0.007 Å), forming a dihedral angle of 7.4 (3)°. An intra-molecular N-H⋯O hydrogen bond forms a six-membered ring. In the crystal, mol-ecules are linked via N-H⋯O and C-H⋯O hydrogen bonds, forming layers alternately perpendicular to [011] and [0-11].

9-(3-Bromo-5-chloro-2-hy-droxy-phen-yl)-10-(2-hy-droxy-eth-yl)-3,6-diphenyl-3,4,9,10-tetra-hydro-acridine-1,8(2H,5H)-dione.

In the title compound, C33H27BrClNO4, the di-hydro-pyridine ring adopts a flattened boat conformation. The mol-ecular conformation is stabilized by an intra-molecular O-H⋯O hydrogen bond, with an S(8) ring motif. In the crystal, O-H⋯O, C-H⋯O and C-H⋯Cl hydrogen bonds, and C-H⋯π inter-actions link the mol-ecules, forming a three-dimensional network. In the acridinedione ring system, the two ring C atoms at the 2- and 3-positions, and the C atom at the 6-position and the atoms of the phenyl ring attached to the C atom at the 6-position are disordered over two sets of sites with occupancy ratios of 0.783 (5):0.217 (5) and 0.526 (18):0.474 (18), respectively.

Effects of tree species and wood particle size on the properties of cement-bonded particleboard manufacturing from tree prunings.

This study investigated the possibility of using the prunings of six locally grown tree species in Saudi Arabia for cement-bonded particleboard (CBP) production. Panels were made using four different wood particle sizes and a constant wood/cement ratio (1/3 by weight) and target density (1200 kg/m3). The mechanical properties and dimensional stability of the produced panels were determined. The interfacial area and distribution of the wood particles in cement matrix were also investigated by scanning electron microscopy. The results revealed that the panels produced from these pruning materials at a target density of 1200 kg m(-3) meet the strength and dimensional stability requirements of the commercial CBP panels. The mean moduli of rupture and elasticity (MOR and MOE) ranged from 9.68 to 11.78 N mm2 and from 3952 to 5667 N mm2, respectively. The mean percent water absorption for twenty four hours (WA24) ranged from 12.93% to 23.39%. Thickness swelling values ranged from 0.62% to 1.53%. For CBP panels with high mechanical properties and good dimensional stability, mixed-size or coarse particles should be used. Using the tree prunings for CBPs production may help to solve the problem of getting rid of these residues by reducing their negative effects on environment, which are caused by poor disposal of such materials through direct combustion process and appearance of black cloud and then the impact on human health or the random accumulation and its indirect effects on the environment.

Bifunctional of Fe3O4@chitosan nanocomposite as a clarifying agent and cationic flocculant on different sugar solutions as a comprehensive semi industrial application.

In the sugar industry, eliminating side impurities throughout the manufacturing process is the most significant obstacle to clarifying sugar solutions. Herein, magnetic chitosan (MCS) nanocomposite was Fabricated to be used as a biodegradable, environmentally friendly clarifying agent throughout the cane juice and sugar refining processes. Fe3O4 was synthesized using the coprecipitation procedure, and then MCS was combined using a cross-linking agent. Furthermore, 14.76 emu g-1 was the maximum saturation magnetization (Ms) value. Because MCS is magnetically saturated, it may be possible to employ an external magnetic field to separate the contaminant deposited on its surface. Additionally, zeta potential analysis showed outstanding findings for MCS with a maximum value of (+) 20.7 mV, with improvement in color removal % up to 44.8% using MCS with more than 24% in color removal % compared to the traditional clarification process. Moreover, utilizing MCS reduced turbidity from 167 to 1 IU. Overall, we determined that MCS nanocomposite exhibits considerable effectiveness in the clarifying process for different sugar solutions, performing as an eco-friendly bio-sorbent and flocculating material.

Chitosan-cellulose nanocomposite: Preparation, characterization, and evaluation as cationic color precipitant in sugar clarification process.

The present paper aims to use natural biodegradable polymers of chitosan (CS) and cellulose (CEL) to synthesize green chitosan-cellulose (CS-CEL) nanocomposite as a new clarifying agent. This is the cutting-edge of the sugar industry's clarification process. The CS-CEL nanocomposite showed outstanding results in zeta potential analysis, with a maximum value (+) 57.73 mV, leading to remarkableresults in coloradsorption via electrostatic attraction. It was also observed that CS-CEL has high mechanical stability. When CS and CS-CEL nanocomposite were used in the clarification of sugarcane (MJ), the findings demonstrated an improvement in colorremoval of up to 8.7% using CS and 18.1%using CS-CEL nanocomposite compared to currently phosphotation clarification process. Also, Turbidity decreased using CS-CEL nanocomposite compared to the traditional phosphotation clarification process. Overall, we can conclude that CS-CEL nanocomposite has considerable efficiency in sugarcane juice clarification process as a green biodegradable adsorbent and flocculating material to produce sulfur-free sugar.

1-(Adamantan-1-ylcarbon-yl)-3-(2,6-difluoro-4-hy-droxy-phen-yl)thio-urea.

In the title mol-ecule, C(18)H(20)F(2)N(2)O(2)S, the 2,6-difluoro-4-hy-droxy-phenyl ring and the carbonyl-thio-urea group are each essentially planar, with maximum deviations of atoms from their mean planes of 0.0113 (14) and 0.1017 (15) Å, respectively; the dihedral angle between these two planes is 71.03 (6)°. An intra-molecular N-H⋯O hydrogen bond occurs. In the crystal, N-H⋯O and O-H⋯S hydrogen bonds connect the mol-ecules into chains running diagonally across the bc plane. C-H⋯S and C-H⋯F contacts are also observed.

Production of Amidinyl Radicals via UV-Vis-Light Promoted Reduction of N-Arylthiophene-2-carboxamidoximes and Application to the Preparation of Some New N-Arylthiophene-2-carboxamidines.

A modern method for the preparation of some new N-arylthiophene-2-carboxamidines via amidinyl radicals generated using UV-vis-light promoting the reduction of N-arylthiophene-2-carboxamidoximes without any catalyst in a short amount of time, highly straight forward, and in an efficient manner is described. This method defeats the flaws of the conventional methods for the reduction of amidoxime derivatives to amidine derivatives, which require harsh conditions such as using a strong acid, high temperature, and expensive catalysts. Benzo[d]imidazoles, benzo[d]oxazoles, and amides can also be synthesized by applying this method. The photoproducts were analyzed by various spectroscopic and analytical techniques, including thin-layer chromatography, column chromatography, high-performance liquid chromatography, gas chromatography/mass spectrometry, IR, 1H NMR, 13C NMR, and MS. Notably, the chromatographic analyses proved that the best time for the production of N-arylthiophene-2-carboxamidines is 20 min. The reaction mechanism comprising pathways and intermediates was also suggested via the homolysis of N-O and C-N bonds.

Comparison of renal function following donor nephrectomy versus radical nephrectomy for renal tumor.

In this study, we compared renal function in patients after donor nephrectomy (DN) and radical nephrectomy (RN). We retrospectively reviewed 68 patients (mean follow-up 15 months), including 30 patients who had undergone DN and 38 patients who had undergone RN. The study was performed between April 2006 and July 2010 at a single institute. Patients were matched for age and co-morbidities (hypertension and diabetes mellitus). We calculated the estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) using the Modification of Diet in Renal Disease study group equation. Parameters studied included GFR (≥60 to <60 mL/min/1.73 m 2 ), serum creatinine (>2.0 mg/dL), metabolic acidosis (serum bicarbonate <22 mmol/L) and proteinuria (>30 mg). There were no significant demographic differences between the two study groups. After a mean follow-up of 15 months, low eGFR (<60 mL/min/1.73 m 2 ) was seen in 28% and 6.7% of patients in the RN and DN groups, respectively (P = 0.03). Similarly, proteinuria was seen in 21% vs 0%, P = 0.007, and de novo elevated creatinine was seen in 13% vs 0%, respectively P = 0.04; thus the changes were greater in the RN group. Our study shows that undergoing RN had a significantly greater risk of developing renal insufficiency and proteinuria compared with age-and co-morbidity-matched patients undergoing DN. We concluded that patients undergoing RN show a significantly greater risk of developing renal insufficiency and proteinuria compared with the patients undergoing DN.

Ozone formation in the greater Cairo area.

Ozone formation in the greater Cairo area was studied in 1990 in a 3-week measurement period performed at three sites (Shoubra El-Kheima, Mokattam Hill, Helwan), covering a north-south direction of 27 km, and in 1991, from the beginning of April until the end of October, by measurement of the seasonal variation of ozone at one site at El-Kobba. The sinusoidal shape in the diurnal volume fraction plots with peak values of 120 ppb and daily mean value of 50 ppb throughout the year indicate a substantial contribution of photochemistry to the ozone content of the atmosphere. Ozone is produced predominantly over the industrial area in the north and in the centre of Cairo and transported southward by the prevailing northerly winds. Contrary to many urban areas in Europe and in North America, fairly high average ozone levels of 40 ppb are observed during the night throughout the spring and the summer. This may imply that health hazards and crop damage are higher in the greater Cairo area than in Central Europe.

Synthesis of some functionalized arylaminomethyl-1 ,2,4-triazoles, 1,3,4-oxa- and thiadiazoles.

Thiosemicarbazides undergo different cyclization reactions to give five membered heterocycles. The product of cyclization depends on the reagent used. This cyclization leads to the formation of 1,3,4-oxadiazole, 1,3,4-thiadiazole and 1,2,4-triazole derivatives. The reaction of thioglycolyl hydrazide derivatives of the 1,2,4-triazole compounds was discussed. The activity against hepatitis B virus (HBV) has been tested.

Thymol derivatives from Phagnalon Sinaicum Bornm & Kneuck.

Phytochemical investigation of the aerial parts of Phagnalon sinaicum Bor. Kn. yielded thymol, three thymol derivatives, in addition to dammadienyl acetate, squalene and phytol. The structures of these compounds were elucidated by spectroscopic methods, m.p. and Co-TLC.

A study of the early changes of the level of calcitonin gene-related Peptide and histopathology of penises of rats with experimentally induced type I diabetes mellitus by streptozocin.

INTRODUCTION: Diabetes mellitus (DM) is a multiorgan disease that leads to neurovascular complications that disturb the normal erectile function. AIM: The aim of the current work was to study the early changes occurring in the level of calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) and histopathological changes in penile tissues of uncontrolled diabetic rats. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This study was carried on 50 adult male Sprague-Dawley rats divided into two main groups: group I (control, n = 10) and group II (diabetic, n = 40). Type I DM was induced by a single intraperitoneal injection of streptozotocin (60 mg/kg). The tissue level of CGRP and histopathological examination of rat penises were assessed at 2, 4, 6, and 8 weeks after induction of DM. RESULTS: CGRP was higher in the diabetic group at 4, 6, and 8 weeks than in the control group. However, endothelial changes and decreased smooth muscles mass started only 2 weeks after induction of DM. CONCLUSION: Deterioration of histopathological features of the uncontrolled diabetic rats corporeal tissues is time dependent. Furthermore, vascular changes seem to precede the neurological changes. El-Kamshoushi AAM, Abdallah WI, Helal SF, El Azhary NM, and Hassan EM. A study of the early changes of the level of calcitonin gene-related peptide and histopathology of penises of rats with experimentally induced type I diabetes mellitus by streptozocin. Sex Med 2013;1:21-29.

Distribution of trace elements in the lipid and nonlipid matter of hair.

We studied the effect of lipid removal on the concentrations of 13 trace elements measured in human hair. We used a pooled specimen of hair from a barber shop, initially washed with de-ionized water, with ultrasonic cleaning, then analyzed for Ca, Cr, Cu, Fe, K, Mg, Mn, Na, Ni, P, Si, Sr, and Zn with use of an inductively coupled plasma emission spectrometer. The lipid was removed by Soxhlet extraction with ethanol, and the hair was re-analyzed. We found several elements present in a relatively large proportion (greater than 20%) in the lipid fraction, mainly Na, K, Ca, Mg, Ni, and Sr. We suggest that removal of part or all of the lipids from hair by using detergents or other lipid-removing solvents for washing may account for the variability in data on elements in hair reported by different laboratories, and that those elements largely present in the lipid fraction are the result of environmental exposure, whereas those retained in the hair fiber after lipid removal can be attributed to nutritional and clinical aspects. We believe that such determination of the distribution of elements may help validate the use of hair in assessing trace elements in the body.

Studies on Egyptian cottonseeds: fatty acid-composition and protein patterns.

Fourteen Egyptian cottonseed varieties were analysed to study some properties of their lipids and proteins. Lipid contents of the kernels ranged from 29.0 to 35.1%. The mean value of the iodine number was 110.9. The tested varieties showed little or no differences regarding to their fatty acid content. A slight higher proportion of linoleic acid was recorded for the triglycerides whereas the polar lipids components contained a lower amount of this fatty acids compared to that found in the total lipids. Protein contents in the examined varieties ranged from 32.3 to 37.9%. The amount of water-soluble protein ranged from 12.8 to 23.0% of the total protein. An almost complete recovery (94.5-100%) of the total protein was yielded when the extraction was performed with 0.02 N NaOH instead of water. The electrophoretic patterns of the water-soluble proteins gave only two bands, having a molecular weight between 14,000 and 25,000 dalton. A clear differentiation between the varieties was noticed when the alkaline soluble protein extracts were subjected to electrophoresis. Accordingly, the examined varieties were classified into five groups each of them having a similar spectrum.

Formulation and characteristics of new recipes of Egyptian patti beans (Falafel).

New recipes of Falafel were formulated and evaluated regarding acceptability, proximate chemical composition and nutritive value. Soybean meal and/or cotyledons were used to substitute for faba bean at different levels (i.e. zero %, 20%, 40%, 60%, 80% and 100%. Data indicated that blends of faba bean (20%) and soybean meal and/or cotyledons (80%) were the most acceptable recipes compared to the control (100% faba bean) as well as the other substitution levels. Blending soybean with faba bean led to appreciable improvement in some essential amino acids. The in vitro digestibility for soybean blends were comparable to the control.